Unreligious: Week 3 - Day 5
OPENING PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to be an example of your love for us. Help us to see others as he sees us, full of infinite love and compassion.
(44) “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (45) that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
REFLECT:
Are Christians really any different than non-Christians? If cameras followed you around and recorded your daily life for a week, would people viewing the video think of you as any different from anyone else? If you’re a Christian, should you appear to be different from anyone else?
The simple answer is yes. Possibly one of the most obvious areas where a Christian may stand out is how they interact with people they don’t like. The world tells us to seek retribution if we’ve been wronged. The world tells us if it’s been done to us we should dish it right back. It seems today if you don’t openly condemn someone perceived to be “bad,” then it means you actively support them. The world expects us to lash out at our enemies.
Jesus calls us to be different. He asks that we not conform to the world. One of the most overt ways we can do that in our society today is to show grace and respect for people that wrong us, or otherwise make a relationship or interaction with them difficult. Anyone can match evil for evil. Only someone who accepts and embraces the redemptive power of Jesus can apply good for evil. Be different. Be like Jesus.
APPLY:
It can be easy to mirror the attitudes and actions of the people with which we interact. Do you ever find yourself matching anger for anger? If so, try to be Jesus-like in those situations. If you are shown frustration or hatred, reflect back calmness and love.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for loving us despite our brokenness and sinfulness. Help us follow your example and love others as you love us.